Improved method of integrating inconstant electric currents



C. KIRCHHGF. Generating Eiectric Currents.

Patented Feb. 26, 1861,

RU 677/552! qw %W 0., mow-u-mo UNITED STATES -GHARLES KIROHHOF, OF NEWYORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED METHOD 0F INTEGRATING lNCONSTANT ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 31,545, dated February26, 1861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES Ktaonnon, of the city and county and Stateof New York, have invented an entirely new method of gathering,encompassing, retaining, and regenerating electricityproduced in any waywhatsoever or by any source or generator, and also of transtorming theshort and inconstant electric impulses or currents to a complete whole,which is as constant and identical as that produced in any other way,and which may be used at'plea-surc for the same purposes as any otherelectric current would ormightrbe used.

Every experiment heretofore made for the purpose of dispensing with thegalvanic batteries on account of the inconvenience, trouble, and expenseattending them has turned out to be a failure, and therapidly-increasing application of the electric current for practicalpurposes induced meto search for something practical, which will beattended with less trouble and expense. I have now invented an entirelynew way, as stated above, and I do hereby declare that the following isa full and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanyingdrawings, and to the let ters of reference marked thereon,in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device calledregenerator, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device calledtranslator, and Fig. 3is a transverse section of a currentchangerof amagneto-electric machine.

To enable others skilled in'the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe its arrangements, construction, operation, 850.

I first refer to the well-known scientific researches of Ritterscharging-pile,Groves gasbattery, Poggendorfs polarization apparatus,(producing short interrupted currents,) Muellers improvement onIoggendorfls balance, (German wippa) the researches on polarization bySohoenbein, Farada, Davis, and others, Wheatstones hyperoxidatcdelectrodes, (afterward combined with zinc or amalgam of potassium,) thedevices of Poggendorf, Mendler, and others for'iutegrating secondarycurrents, the. No practical use has yet been made of these inventions,and I willnow proceed to show that mine differs entirely, because itoperates on the following principles: First, electric currentspossessing a certain amount of intensity, quantity, and resistance, ortensions of the two contrary elcctricities on re-establishing theirequilibrium will never traverse an electrolytic liquid or similarcompound without decomposing it partially, and theequivalents of theseparated elements, bein g proportional to the activity of the current,will either surround the electrodes or escape in the form of gases orundergo any other chemical combination, and vice versa; second, twoelectrodes of different character or surrounded or covered by differentelectrolytes or substances excited by similar conducting liquids orsolutions of similar character and possessing the property'of dissolvingat least one of them, or two electrodes of similar charactor, butimmersed into difierent electrolytic liquids or different substances,which, in consequence of their afiinity, have a tendency to produce, byentering into a combination, liquid chemical compounds, win produce anelectric current proportional to the difference of their electrochemicalcharacter; and therefore when a current has decomposed a certain amountof the electrolyte or electrolytes, and thereby disturbed theelectrochemical equilibrium and the separated elements (or their newcombination) remaining in contact with the corresponding electrodes aredisposed to restore the original equilibrium by a recombi nation, areverse current will always be produced whenever the electrodes duringthe time of restoration are properly connected, unless chemical orphysical local actions have taken place.

Any apparatus, arrangement, or device consistiugof electrodes orconductors in combination or contact with or immersed into anyelectrolyte or electrolytes or chemical compound operating in the mannerand on the principles as stated above may be called regenerator, becauseif provided with the me chanical auxiliaries and arrangements which areindispensably necessary for the purpose of producing a favorable resultit accepts, retains, collects, unites, and reserves or preserves theelectricity generated or coming from any electric source whatsoever, andbecause it transforms any number of short impulses into a complete wholeand reproduces a new and constant and continuous current correspondingto the charge and the arrangements and liquids used, which current maybe employed and used for all purposes like any other electric current,and also for counterbalancing and resisting other currents or tensionspassing the same conductor in a contrary direction, &c., as I shallillustrate here inafter.

The science of electrolysis has taught us a great deal of the generatingand decomposing power of the electric current, the results of secondaryaction, status nascens,'&c. T do not propose, however, to confine myselfto any particular liquid, substance, or compound to be used foroperating on my principles, or to any particular arrangement orconstruction. They may be chosen at pleasure. But, as regards topecuniary economy and con'venienec, I should prefer as liquid thewaterand other cheap chemicals, because the ozon of the water(Schoenbeins definition) possesses the power, which cannot be surpassedby any other substance,

of causing combinations of a very negative character, which may beeasily disoxidatedas, for instance, the highest state of oxidation ofmanganese, potassium, sodium, barium, strontium, lead, iron, silver,850., may be obtained by the electric current in the presence of water.Nitrogen ascends from N11,, up to. N0 and strangeare the resultssometimes of the combinations of organic acids with inorganic elements.A reversecurrent of more or less activity is, however, in most cases thenatural consequence.

An example may illustrate the practicability of my invention. Suppose acopper plate of a Daniels battery be immersed into diluted sulphuricacid or an acidulated solution of sulphate, nitrate amidide of copper,&c., and a copper or a zinc plate, both amalgamated with quicksilverinto a solution of sulphate, nitrate, amidide, &c., of zinc. Onconnecting the electrodes with the corresponding ends of theconductors-as, for instance, the lightnin g-rod and the earth with theelectrodes for the purpose of obtaining atmospheric electricity or therubber and conductor of a friction-machine for the purpose of obtainingelectricity by friction-the electricity of any source or generator maybe stored up, which is, for instance, clearly explained hereinafter bythe application of the magneto-electric machine.

A small and powerful regenerator is the following: Aglass, (see Fig. 1)A, is closed by a cover of lead, 13, to which electrodes of platina-foilU C are soldered, diverging from each other as they descend. Saidelectrodes are perforated, and I rougheu them by hammering betweenemery-paper. They need not be platinized.) A glass tube, E, insertedthrough a hole in the cover B, isolates the positive electrode D ofplatina, which is suspended in it and nearly extends to .the bottom ofthe glass, where it spreads and branches around without touching,however, the other platina-foil. The glass is filled up with a solutionconsisting of about six parts, by weight, of nitrate of lead,

dissolve them again.

two to three parts of acetate of lead, and one part of nitrate ofpotash, dissolved in from eight to twelve times the quantity of water.The solution is now filtered and the following added: four parts ofacetic acid, (liquid commercial at twenty-one per cent.,) one part ofnitric acid, and scarcely one-sixteenth part of nitrate or acetate ofiron, (or nitrate or acetate of zinc.) the turning of the light color ofthe solution intoa yellowish one will indicate it. On connecting thecover B with the positive pole P and the isolated electrodel) with'thenegative end Z of any generator the foil will turn black peroxide oflead, and the positive electrode will be surrounded by crystallizedlead. This is a very positive element, and the former peroxide the mostnegative known to exist, and also a good conductor.

Bychangingtheproportionsofthe substances of the solution more or lessperoxide or metal will be deposited, and the conducting-power, 850., maybe increased or decreased in the same ratio. If pure ingredients areemployed in the preparation of the solution it will last for a longtime.

Metals'of a more negative character than the above namedlead(exceptquicksilver) coveriu g the positive electrodes are often veryinjurious. This is not the case, however, with the more positiveelements. The combination of several cups or glasses is the same as ingalvanic batteries.

Platina may be saved by substituting a positive electrode of lead(amalgamated with quicksilver) instead of platina.

Either of the following arrangements for controlling the current andregulating the resistance to be overcome by it will prove to be of greatconvenience.

The electrode is covered with a sliding noncouducting tube or funnelwhich may be raised or lowered for the purpose of exposing more or lesssurface of the electrode to the solution; or the electrode may slide upand down in the same; or the electrodes may be so arranged that they canbe moved more or less apart from each other, when necessary; or thepositive electrode may be made to collapse or press against anon-conductor, or any other similar arrangement. The electrode may alsoenter through the bottom. Said bottom'may be concave or conical. In thisway the deposits will be collected around the electrode, thus giving thecurrent achance toeasily afiect'and Amalgams mayalso be used forpositive electrodes.

A more perfect apparatus is the double regenerator. Each glass of thesame is provided with two pairs of electrodes, each pair actingindependentoftheother. One pairdischarges while the other gets charged.In this manner the quantity of the elements of the solution remains thesame. In some cases one positive electrode may answer at thesame timefor the two negative ones. All regener- When too much of theiron istaken,

ators may be used for discharging quantitative currents while beingcharged.

For the purpose of conducting the currents at the proper time to theproper place and in the proper direction, and also for opening andclosing the circuits when required, andin or der to facilitate theregular charging and discharging,mechanicalcontrivancesarerequired,which I will call translator.

I will refer at first to the contrivances designed by Poggcndorf andMueller for the purpose of aiding them in their scientific researches,which I have improved and made to answer for practical purposes. As toPoggendorfs, I cover the board with a strap of wood containingcorresponding holes. Between the board and strap 1 put a layer of thinindiarubber, or a similar substance, with very fine holes in it, whichpermit the pins or hooks to be dipped into the quicksilver. In this waythe waste and evaporation of the latter is prevented. Furthermore, a keyfor opening and closing the circuits may be arranged in such a mannerthat it will not close or open the circuits until all the pins shallhavebeen dipped into the quicksilver. In this way the oxidation of thelatter by means of the electric spark isavoided. Said key may also beused to op crate at the required time the balance with greaterprecision, and may be withdrawn by aspring or its equivalent wheneverreleased by the finger, &c., or, vice versa, the balance may operate thekey. A similar arrangement m ust also be added to Muellers, with thisdih'ference, h0wever,,that either the cylinder has to be turned by itstep by step, or, vice versa, the cylinder may move it, or a slide maybe substituted for the cylinder operating the springs in a similarmanner, 85c. Fordouble charging, a double combination of the translatoris required.

Convenient eontrivanccs operated by any desired motive power, aselectromagnetism, &c., or the combination of the translator with .otherarrangemen ts. as telegraph apparatuses,

tain amount of power,for the purpose of operatin g electric clocks,signal apparatuses, starting, moving, or stopping mechanism, or to andfro, or strong and feeble currents, &c.but in such cases the liquid mayalso help. Taking water to be one of the worst electrolytes andconductors, an addition of sulphuric, hydro chloric, nitric acid, orsalts of the series of alkalies and positive metals will increase theactivity in proportion. Short impulses or to and fro currents permitalso the conductor to remain closed afterward, and the reaction of theinduction currents or electric tensions will be prevented, because theywill be counterbalanced by the polarization on the passe-go of theinduction-currents through the regcir orator.

Thenextillustratedarrangementot'thetrans later will show the possibilityot'charging the regeneratoror polarization apparatus at anyand the sametime while it is discharging. Suppose some cups, Fig. 2, B 11' 13, to beconnected with each other, forming a circuit of great intensity. To eachconnectiop 1" F F F F a wire, G G G G G, is attached, the end of whichtouches a wooden cylinder, L, surrounded spirally by two wires, H K,which run parallel with each other, but are so far apart that on turningthe cylinder only one spring touches one spiral at a time. Each spiral HK is connected with a journal, M N, (isolated,) of the cylinder L, andeach journal by a spring, 0 Q,with the corresponding pole P Z of thegenerator,.Fig. 3, and on turn ing the cylinder L cup by cup will becharged by the translator. A circular arrangement around a verticalrevolving shalt,with two isolated projections touching against thesprings, or a movable slide slowly progressing or raising, will producethe same effects.

It is obvious that by the application of all such arrangements,explained above, the polarization apparatus will likewise answer in manycases for practical purposes, especially by the application of temporarycurrents. Finally, it will be necessary for me to dwell a little longeryet on the manner of gathering, retaining, and transforming the short ormomentary impulses of induction currents, especially the currents of themagneto-electric machine.

Alltheinuumerable arrangements which have been devised for the purposeof combining separate impulses in such a manner as to give them thesemblance of a constant and continuous current have so far provedunsuccessful, and none of the learned and scientific men of thecivilized world have yet been able to demonstrate the possibility that aperfect and continuons current, like a galvanic current,which does notvibrate in the least, can be obtained by any means. Mine, therefore, isthe only method by means of which the impulses are collected by theregeuerator and then united, transformed into a complete whole, andreproduced anew, as required. For this purpose, however, and in order toobtain as much electricity as possible, the following auxiliary arrangeinents must be observed: First, the discharge of the currentsthrough all the helices into the general conductor must take place atthe same time; second,it is necessary that the resistance of all thehelices which are connected together be a little in excess over theresistance of the regenerator; third, the our rent-changer must beconstructed in such a manner as to furnish to the electricity collectedin the regenerator no way of escape through the closed circuit of thehelices during the time in which they produce too little or noelectricity. For instance, the ends of the helices are connected withtwo springs, (see Fig. 3,) V U, which are diametrically attached(isolated) to the main shaft T, and their other ends touch against aconcentric stationary metallic ring,

the regenerator are fastened. The magnets being directly opposite theelectro-inagnets, both springs V U' have to touch the'large segment R,thus leaving the circuit closed and the communication with theregencrator is stopped, because one pole, P, is fastened to the smallsegment S.

The combination of the magncto electric machine, translator, andregenerator is at the present time the only method by which a continuouscurrcntcan be obtained, because it works on the principle of a pump withairchamber or a pair of bellows with reservoir.- If the machine isconstructed in the manner indicated by meand operated by a weight thecurrent expenses for havin g on hand a constant electric current at alltimes are not worth speak ing of.

It Will be easily understood that the translator may also be operated bythe motion of .the machine, as mentioned before.

Having now clearly specified and illustrated my invention, I shallproceed to state What I disclaim and what I want to have secured byLetters Patent. I do not claim anything referred to as being well-known;but

I do claim-- 1. The device called re generator, arran ged in suchmanneras to operate on the principles and in the manner as stated.

2. The arrangements, constructiomand devices called translator, and theimprovements made for opening and closing the circuits with precisionand for conducting and interrupting the charging and discharged currentsas desired, the said translator and improvements to be applied andoperated as described.

3. The combination of said arrangements and devices mentioned in thepreceding claim with the regenerator as well as with the polarizationapparatus. 1

CHARLES KIROHHOF.

Witnesses:

AUGUST HOORE, FRIEDRICH GEHrIoHa

